Each month, the Birmingham Board of Education recognizes the employees who go above and beyond the call of duty to make the district a better place, even when no one is looking.
These employees are critical to establishing and maintaining a positive culture and a safe, secure, and nurturing learning environment. They inspire their colleagues and our students to pursue excellence, serve others, and collaborate effectively towards common goals.
During its regularly scheduled board meeting on January 13, the board recognized the following employees…
Orlando Robertson, Technology Teacher, Brown Elementary School
A truly selfless and dedicated member of our school community who has faithfully served this school for 28 years, Mr. Robertson has consistently gone above and beyond in service to our students and staff.
Mr. Robertson arrives at work early each day to welcome students who arrive before the start of the school day and leads school dismissal each afternoon. He also serves as the school designee and leads our safety team, ensuring a safe, orderly, and supportive environment for all. He is always willing to assist with the needs of the school and regularly steps in wherever support is needed. In addition, he extends his commitment to our students beyond the school day by coaching Newcomb (Nukem) and kickball for both our girls’ and boys’ teams. His leadership, reliability, and genuine care for our school community make him highly deserving of recognition. We are grateful to have Mr. Robertson serve the students and staff at Brown Elementary.
Chara Gill, Innovative Librarian and Ed Farm Leader, Bush Hills STEAM Academy
As the Innovative Librarian at Bush Hills STEAM Academy, Mrs. Chara Gill exemplifies innovation, instructional excellence, and visionary leadership in her role. The steward of the STEAM Engine space, she has transformed the traditional concept of a school library into a dynamic hub for creativity, problem-solving, and future-ready learning. Mrs. Gill consistently provides scholars with authentic, hands-on experiences by teaching coding through Apple devices and a wide range of applications, facilitating drone operations, and intentionally integrating STEAM across all content areas. Her work extends far beyond enrichment; it is embedded into the instructional core of the school, ensuring that scholars develop critical thinking, collaboration, and technological fluency aligned with real-world demands.
Mrs. Gill’s impact is further evidenced by the remarkable accomplishments of her scholars, particularly those involved in the ED Farm Fellows program. Under her guidance, students have repeatedly competed and excelled at the state level in app design and development, podcast competitions, and business plan challenges. They have used drones to tell powerful historical stories such as the Birmingham Bombing, composed original music for local businesses like K&J Sweets using the recording music studio on campus, and showcased their learning through the annual STEM Tech Night, which she plans and hosts with excellence each year. Mrs. Gill’s ability to connect innovation, community partnerships, history, and student voice is exceptional. She is a true catalyst for STEAM education at Bush Hills STEAM Academy, and her work represents the very best of what an Employee Spotlight should honor: creativity, impact, and an unwavering commitment to student success.
April White, Database Manager (Secretary), Bush Hills STEAM Academy
Mrs. April White is highly deserving of recognition through the Employee Spotlight for her exceptional professionalism, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the Bush Hills STEAM Academy community. As the school’s Database Manager, Mrs. White plays a critical operational role; however, her impact extends far beyond data systems and daily procedures. She has been instrumental in transforming the culture and climate of the main office, ensuring that it is welcoming, efficient, and student-centered. Her consistent warmth and professionalism are reflected in the school’s Let’s Talk parent feedback, where she has helped the front office earn an outstanding evaluation score of 9.5 or higher. Each morning, Mrs. White greets scholars and parents with a genuine smile, setting a positive tone for the day and reinforcing trust between the school and its stakeholders.
Mrs. White’s dedication to service and care was most evident during the first semester when she acted swiftly and calmly to assist a parent experiencing a medical emergency on two separate occasions within the same month. Her ability to remain composed, provide immediate support, and ensure the parent’s safety exemplifies her strong sense of responsibility and compassion. This level of care has not gone unnoticed; parents and community stakeholders have submitted multiple emails praising Mrs. White for her professionalism, empathy, and commitment to excellence. Recently recognized as December Employee of the Month, she continues to model what it means to be a team player by actively participating in school events and activities. Mrs. White is a cornerstone of the Bush Hills STEAM Academy front office, and her consistent dedication, kindness, and reliability make her an outstanding candidate for the Employee Spotlight.